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HomeMy WebLinkAbout24318 RESOLUTION NO. 24318 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING AND AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FOR THE ACQUISITION OF PRIVATELY OWNED PROPERTIES ON THE CHINO CONE FOR PRESERVATION OF OPEN SPACE FROM THE COACHELLA VALLEY MOUNTAINS CONSERVANCY PROPOSITION 1 PROGRAM, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE ALL SUCH APPLICATIONS AND AGREEMENTS. WHEREAS, The Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy, (the "Conservancy"), was established by California Public Resources Code Section 33501 in 1991 to protect the natural and cultural resources of the Coachella Valley and its surrounding mountains, which include the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains National Monument and portions of Joshua Tree National Park; and WHEREAS, The Conservancy has a history of working efficiently with federal agencies, Riverside County, local cities and numerous nonprofit organizations to preserve open space, wildlife, scarce water resources and historical artifacts through conservation land acquisition, habitat management or restoration, and educational and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors; and WHEREAS, Proposition 1, the "Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014," was enacted by the voters on November 4, 2014, to provide a comprehensive and fiscally responsible approach for addressing the array of challenges facing California's limited water resources; and WHEREAS, Proposition 1 provides funding to implement the three objectives of the California Water Action Plan, namely, more reliable water supplies, the restoration of important species and habitat, and a more resilient and sustainably managed water infrastructure; and WHEREAS, under Chapter 6 of Proposition 1, the Conservancy received an allocation of $10 million to fund multi-benefit water quality, water supply, and watershed protection and restoration projects that benefit the Coachella Valley; and WHEREAS, on May 11, 2015, the Conservancy adopted the Proposition 1 Grant Program Guidelines, (the "Guidelines"), establish the process to be used by the Conservancy to solicit applications, evaluate proposals and award grants of Proposition 1 funds; .and Resolution No. 24318 Page 2 WHEREAS, the Conservancy anticipates making $2.5 million available for eligible projects in fiscal year 2015-16, and approximately $2.0 million per year for the next four fiscal years; and WHEREAS, the Conservancy will administer one or more competitive cycles each fiscal year through the issuance of a notice of funding availability ("NOFA"), and applicants must submit a Conservancy Proposition 1 grant application package in accordance with the requirements of a NOFA to be considered; and WHEREAS, on May 9, 2017, the Conservancy issued its NOFA No. 2017-01, requesting applications for Watershed Acquisition Projects; and WHEREAS, the Guidelines require that applicants provide a resolution, motion or similar action that has been duly adopted or passed as an official act of the applicant's governing body authorizing the filing of the application, including all understandings and assurances contained therein, and directing and authorizing the person identified as the official representative of the applicant to act in connection with the application and to provide such additional information as may be required; and WHEREAS, the City intends to apply to the Conservancy for Proposition 1 grant funding for acquisition of privately-held properties on the Chino Cone, in an effort to preserve these properties as permanent open space, focused on seven (7) parcels consisting of 232 acres located in an environmentally sensitive area of the Chino Cone alluvial fan; and WHEREAS the City P acquire anticipates the cost to the 232 acres of privately-held properties located in an environmentally sensitive area of the Chino Cone alluvial fan is $6,000,000. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS HEREBY DECLARES THE FOLLOWING: 1. The City Council hereby supports the submittal of an application to the Conservancy for a Watershed Acquisition Project, focused on acquiring up to 232 acres-of privately-held properties located in an 'environmentally sensitive area of the Chino Cone alluvial fan at an estimated cost of$6,000,000. 2. The City Manager, or designee, is hereby authorized and empowered to execute in the name of the City of Palm Springs all grant documents, including but not limited to, applications, agreements, amendments and requests for payment, necessary to secure grant funds and implement the approved grant projects. Resolution No. 24318 Page 3 3. Pursuant to the authorization herein Section 2, the City Manager, or designee, possesses legal authority to apply for the grants, and to implement the proposed projects, and is hereby identified as the official representative of the City of Palm Springs to act in connection with the applications and to provide such additional information as may be required. 4. The City of Palm Springs will cause the project to be implemented in accordance with the schedule, budget and conditions contained in its grant proposal. Where the project includes land acquisition, the property shall be maintained in perpetuity for the conservation of its biological and scenic resources. With the approval of the Conservancy, the City of Palm Springs or its successors in interest in the property may transfer the responsibility to maintain the property to a qualified local, state, or federal agency, or to another qualified non-profit organization. 5. The City of Palm Springs will give the State's authorized representative access to and the right to examine all records, books, papers, or documents related to the grants. 6. The City of Palm Springs will comply where applicable with provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act and the California Relocation Assistance Act, any other state, and/or local laws, and/or regulations. ADOPTED THIS 18TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2017. David H. Ready, E h.D. City Manager ATTEST: Kathleen D. Hart, MMC Interim City Clerk Resolution No. 24318 Page 4 CERTIFICATION STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) SS. CITY OF PALM SPRINGS ) I, KATHLEEN D. HART, Interim City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that Resolution No. 24318 is a full, true and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs on October 18, 2017, by the following vote: AYES: Councilmember Roberts, Mayor Pro Tern Foat, and Mayor Moon NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: Councilmembers Kors and Mills RECUSAL: None Kathleen D. Hart, MMC Interim City Clerk